Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

To cope with these challenges, airline glass flight decks contain a vertical navigation function (VNAV) that keeps the autopilot, and the crew, on the right path to arrive at the final approach fix, or downwind leg, at speed and on altitude. A towered airport with an approach control can make this quite easy. When to Start Down?

Descent 56

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 56

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Although the traffic pattern was otherwise normal, the base leg was to the end of the runway, with no provision for final approach. The turn to final started at roughly 50 feet when the plane was already over the runway, or nearly. One checkout was at normal weight and c.g. and one at full gross weight and aft c.g.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Maximum Gross Weight: 1,587 lbs. Empty Weight, Standard: 959 lbs. Resuming a powered descent to enter the pattern, the aux fuel pump goes on and flaps are deployed to 15 degrees, and the aircraft trimmed to 75 knots for the approach. Clearing the final approach path, we extended full flaps and stabilized at 70 knots.

Knot 98

Knot Rudder Airplanes Gross Weight 98